In China, all foreigners are obliged to visit police, when we stay at hotel?

Question

I just arrived at a hotel in Shanghai, China. A person at the reception told me we, all foreigners, are obliged to visit a local police in this Beijing Olympic game season. Has anybody experienced the same situation? Is it a cheating? This hotel is a four-stars hotel, named New Space Time International Hotel Shanghai.

Answer 1

Websters right, don't worry about it. Just play the dumb foriegner if it comes up. The only time it will come up is if you get involved in something where the authorities need a reason to hold you. So be a good tourist, stay away form the dark side, behave yourself and you'll have no problems.

Answer 2

No, it is not cheating. It is true that everyone has to. I went to Beijing, China on 6/13 and even though we did not live at a hotel and had our own apartment, we had to register with them.

Answer 3

I have stayed in i would giess 50 hotels in china in the last 2 years - i was never required to do this - just show passport.  Not been to shanghai since Feb tho.  Perhaps the venue cities are tightening up pre olympics.  Also i have a residence permit so perhaps its different rules for different visas etc.

Answer 4

Usually when you go to a hotel in China the hotel takes a copy of your passport and registers for you.  This is just so the Public Security Bureau knows where the foreigners are in case of trouble, etc.  Rules have changed during Olympics, but I wouldn't bother unless they really push you to.

Answer 5

Usually, your hotel will do this for you. That is screwy that they are not!

At an apartment, the apartment owner has to go with you to register and they give you a "temporary residence permit." Hotels are supposed to handle this registration themselves and give you the little slip of paper. If your hotel says you have to go, then you probably should, but you should insist that someone from the hotel accompany you. Usually, the PSB office workers dont speak any English.

The fine for not having your little paper is 500 RMB. So it is a good idea to have it.

I have only been asked for mine twice (been in Beijing since Feb) but I think they are cracking down more with the Olympics coming.

Answer 6

They are obliged to visit the police if there going to be in a certain place for a set amount of time. Off hand I don't know.

I would say that next time they ask, ask them for a copy of the ruling and ask then for a copy of you booking and a total of booking and say something along the lines of, you do know that you are required to pay for the registration costs or taxes if I'm charged

Answer 7

They came up with the rule that when a foreighner arrives in a part of china you have to tell the police station.

I live here, i have been here for 7 years trust me you dont need to do this. You will end up being there all day and they wont understand what your there for and in the end you have wasted a day. I think you would have to worry more if you were moving there to live for a period of more than 3 months. Anyway dont worry about it.